While more than £500,000 has been raised towards the £1million funding target, the steering group hope more firms will see the chance to join in and increase their own chances of benefitting economically.

The beam engines of the museum - once used to pump water across Sunderland - were fired up as visitors enjoyed an exhibition by the North East Photographic Network, while Prince and Pearl entertained visitors with pop and indie classics.

Sunderland teenagers Emmie and Lilly Thompson also displayed artwork, while the grand finale was a performance by Sunniside-based Dancejam.

Their routine was performed in front of the engine house, lit for the occasion by Sunderland University graduate Mick Stephenson.

We know the bid will be a fantastic year in 2021 in terms of arts and culture, but we know the impact it will have on young people in the city, the impact it will have on health in the city, it’s about the impact it will have on the economy, so for a lot of businesses out there, these are things that they are really interested in and see this as a way of achieving their own agendas.

Rebecca Ball

A sculpture he has created of the bid’s logo was also unveiled - triangles of the piece are already dedicated to the city’s shipbuilding, glassmaking and mining past and light bulb inventor Joseph Swan, with four left for the city to help decorate.

Bid director Rebecca Ball said: “We’ve had fantastic support from businesses so far, there have been a lot asking how they can help and they have in quite innovative ways.

“We know the bid will be a fantastic year in 2021 in terms of arts and culture, but we know the impact it will have on young people in the city, the impact it will have on health in the city, it’s about the impact it will have on the economy, so for a lot of businesses out there, these are things that they are really interested in and see this as a way of achieving their own agendas.”

Launch of Sunderland's City of Culture Bid 2021 at Ryhope Engine Museum.